The Bread and Butter Thing opened its first North East hub in Darlington back in March 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic hit the country.
Now, almost five years on, the charity operates 53 hubs across the region and supported nearly 7,500 new households throughout the year.
The food surplus charity works with big supermarkets, such as Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Aldi, manufacturers and farmers who provide their surplus stock. For just £8.50 members can get shopping items made up of quality fresh food and store cupboard staples from supermarkets.
Members pay the money as and when they require the shopping and do not need to be referred to the scheme.
CEO Vic Harper said: “It has been a really busy year for us. We have a total of 53 hubs in the North East now, we opened another six this year. We have seen 7,500 new members join us throughout the year, so that is pretty big numbers.
“We have members benefiting from more than 100,000 shops with us which is the equivalent of around four million meals.
The charity also supported Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) around the hub in Darlington, Durham, Sunderland and North Tyneside and funded 74 HAF sessions throughout July and August.
There was no eligibility requirement, meaning more children could access much-needed provision. More than 260 spaces were filled in total with 700 children supported.
They were also given a voucher for a free The Bread and Butter Thing shop helping mums and dads to provide nutritious food outside of the HAF provision, equating to 80,44 meals.
Vic said: “It is essentially for kids who are eligible for free school meals to access a lunch and some activities during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays to make sure they have something to do.
“That is quite specific eligibility so in Darlington, Durham, Sunderland and North Tyneside we funded an extra 74 sessions with no eligibility so much more children could access. We filled more than 2,600 spaces, every had a meal and more than 700 unique children were supported and everyone was given a free The Bread and Butter Thing shop.”
The charity has more than 50 hubs across the region
(Image: Rebecca Lupton 2023)
As well as food distribution, the charity runs the Big Brew Time initiative which has delivered thousands of brews this year. The initiative aims to combat social isolation and build new friendships.
Vic said: “It helps to bring the community together and reduce social isolation. Thirty-nine of our hubs deliver Big Brew Time and have delivered more than 20,000 brews which is lovely. When you layer on top of that some of the stories we get from our members.
“We have Kevin and Frank who are pals from old time and come for a little escape for themselves and keep their friendship going. It helps foster that sense of community.
Kevin, 67, goes to the Big Brew Time in Stanley Crook, Durham, and says he’s made good friends through the service.
“I’ve been going every week since day one,” explains Kevin. “We sit together and it’s entertaining. We have a laugh and a joke. It’s a really good morning. We meet throughout the week too.”
Kevin adds that everyone is made to feel welcome. “Everybody just joins in and respects each other,” he explains. “If anybody is alone or feeling lonely, it’s the place to go.”
Members also benefited from 730 visits from additional services such as Citizens Advice and Green Doctor. Volunteers are also finding the initiative is changing their lives.
Lesley Ann Dixon, 59, member of Pennywell in Sunderland is a grandmother of eight and been relying on Bread and Butter for the past two years so she can afford her other household bills.
She said: “I started Bread and Butter because I had really bad anxiety and needed something to do. I was invited to volunteer to help, and it’s changed my life.
“Besides the fact of what we’re getting in our bags every week it’s a great atmosphere and a fantastic hub. Bread and Butter has made a real difference because the money I will be saving on groceries I will be saving on the gas and electric so I can keep my house warm over Christmas for my family.”
Vic said: “It has been a really positive year in terms of supporting people to be able to eat more healthy than they ordinarily would do if we weren’t about.”
The charity has recently surveyed members and will use the information to advocate on their behalf to tell the Government about what is going on in their lives, and ensure the Government doesn’t overlook them.
Vic added: “People are working brilliantly and working hard and are still just about managing. We think we can try and influence that.
“Food is always the core, but bringing the community together, trying to get people out of their shells and making friends is also really positive.”
Looking to the coming year, Vic added: “We’ve got some exciting things lined up for 2025, and we’re looking forward to advocating for some meaningful changes for the Bread and Butter community.”
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